Space panels



Dec. 24, 1968 D. R. SCHULTZ SPACE PANELS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24, 1965 INVEN TOR. DARALD R. SCHULTZ ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 D. R. SCHULTZ 3,417,505

SPACE PANELS Filed May 24, 1965 2.Sheets-Sheet 2 vINVENTOR. v 7 DARALD R. SCHULTZ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,417,505 SPACE PANELS Darald R. Schultz, 1856 D Ave. NE., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 Filed May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,287 2 Claims. (Cl. 46-16) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A space panel toy comprising toy structural panels adapted to be attached together to build a composite structure. The panels are formed with an outer portion lying in a plane, a reinforcing groove and a plurality of reinforcing intersecting planar sections forming the inner portion defined by the groove. Two of the planar sections are perpendicular to the plane of the outer portion.

This invention relates in general to toys and in particular, to an educational space panel device.

Toys which develop imagination and perspective are very beneficial and entertaining. Children enjoy toys which they can use to construct things and which do not require following predetermined patterns.

The present invention comprises a toy which allows the use of imagination and ingenuity.

An object of this invention is to provide an educational toy.

Another object is to provide an educational toy from which many different structures can be built.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision for a space panel toy comprising a plurality of irregularly shaped panels which can be attached together with suitable clamps.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following description and claims when read in view of the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of structure formed with the panels and clamps of this invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a clamp,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the clamp taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a space panel with reinforcing ribs,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of. FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a modified space panel, and;

:FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a form 10 which has been constructed from the space panels and clamps of this invention. A plurality of panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 have been joined by clamps to construct form 10. Certain of the panels 11 are relatively large and are trapezoidal in shape. Three such panels have been joined by two clamps 15 to form a base which rests on the floor. Additional panels 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 have been added to the base to complete the form. Panels 12, 13 and 14 are triangular in shape and panels 16 and 17 are trapezoidal in shape. Although panels shaped in general trapezoidal and triangular are shown, any size and shaped panels may be used.

The panels may be constructed of plastic such as US. Royalite 26 made by the U. S. Rubber Company and may be in any color although the colors of red, white, blue and yellow are very attractive. The corners of the space panels are rounded to prevent injury to the eyes. It is to be realized that although the form 10 is shown as a possible construction that each user of the toy would build a different design. The sizes of the Patented Dec. 24, 1968 panels can vary, but in one embodiment, a form approximating FIGURE 1 was six feet in height.

FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrate the clamps 15 in detail. A notch 24 is formed by surfaces 22 and 23 and aligns with notch 28 formed by surfaces 26 and 27. A notch 32 is formed by surfaces 29 and 3 1 and aligns with notch 21 formed by surfaces 18 and 19. The notches 21, 24, 28 and 32, are adapted to receive the edges of space panels therein and to hold them in the set position.

The clamps are made of plastic material and have a resiliency which allow them to receive and hold the space panels.

FIGURES 4-7 illustrate in detail the construction of space panels. FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate a large reinforced panel 11. Panel 11 is formed with outer edges 36, 37 and 39. The edges are joined by a reinforcing raise 41 and depression 42 forming a groove which extends about the panel and gives strength to the panel. A vertical break 47 perpendicular to the plane of the edges 36, 37 and 39 is formed at the junctions of planar surfaces 46, 43 and 44 to strengthen the panel. A break 48 occurs between surfaces 43 and 44 of the panel. Vertical break 47 is composed of two planar sections 47a and 471) which intersect at break 48. The vertical break 47 and break 48 substantially increase the stability of the panel so that it can carry more load without bending. In large panels such as 11 in FIGURE 1 such reinforcing by breaks 47 and 48 have been found desirable.

It is noted that the panel is formed with reinforcing groove 41-42 defining the priphery of an inner portion.

The inner portion comprises planar sections 43, 44, 46, 47a and 47b of which 47a and 47b lie in intersecting planes perpendicular to that of the outer portion. The perpendicular sections are joined at the edges to the reinforcing groove by at least two planar sections.

For smaller panels, the center breaks 47 and 48 can be eliminated and the panels can be constructed with only the edge reinforcing. This is shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. Panel 49 has outer edges 51, 52, 53 and 54. Reinforcing rises 56 and 58 and depressions 57 and 59 are formed adjacent each edge 51, 52, 53 and 54 to reinforce the panels. These rises and grooves may be formed about panels of any shape.

In use, a number of panels of various sizes, colors and shapes are packaged with a quantity of clamps 15. The user assembles his own form by selecting various panels and joining them with clamps 15. Since the clamps 15 have many slots almost any desired connection may be made between two or more panels. The variations in size, color and shape of the panels make the possible combinations almost infinite so that the user does not become tired of building the same thing.

Although triangular and trapezoidal panels are illustrated, panels of any shape may be used. The basic idea is to provide attractive and economical panels and clamps to provide a toy.

Although this invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is not to be so limited as changes and modifications may be made which are within the full intended scope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy structural space panel formed with an outer portion lying in a plane, a reinforcing groove formed about the outer portion, said reinforcing groove defining the periphery of an inner portion, said inner portion comprising planar sections, at least two of which lie in intersecting planes perpendicular to that of the outer portion, said two perpendicular sections having opposite edges defining the width thereof and an end terminating at said groove, said perpendicular sections being joined at said edges to said reinforcing groove by at least two planar sections; whereby a plurality of said structural 3 4 space panels may form a construction toy and may be 2,776,521 1/1957 Zimmerman 4630 XR attached together to build composite structures. 2,810,672 10/ 1957 Taylor 1611 18 2. A toy structural space anel as described in claim 1, 3,029,077 4/ 1962 Benkoe 4617 XR having three planar sections joining the edges of said perpendicular sections with said reinforcing groove. 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 52,063 8/ 1936 Denmark. References 892,366 3/1962 Great Britain. UNITED STATES PATENTS 961,000 6/1964 Great Britain.

Metal 4631 15 52316, 630

10 LOUIS G. MA-NCENE, Primary Examiner.

S. NATTER, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

